Liquid-dispenser



2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

6 (ffl/A" G. A. AND A. L. BOBRICK.

LIQUID DISPENSER.

, APPLICATION -FILED MAR.16, 191s. 1,362,077.

\i n; 5 e@ @wy a A .2V/lser,... ,%///hm G. AQAND A. L. BOBRICK.

' LIQ-um DISPENSER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I6, 1915.-

Patented Da. 14,1920.

2 SHEETS-SH'EET 2.

UNITED srArEs PATENT carica.

GABRIEL A. BOBRCK AND ARTHUR L. BOBRICK, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA,

LIQUID-DISPENSER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. i4, 1920.

I Application led March 16, 1915. Serial N0. 14,822.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, GABRrEL A. BOBRICK and ARTHUR L. BoBRIoK, citizens of the United States residing. at Los Angeles, in the county of ios Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and. useful Liquid-Dispenser, of which the followin'gfis a s eciiicatlon.

his invention relates to the piston type of apparatus for dispensing liquids of various kinds and for various purposes, but is particularly intended for use as a liquid soap dispenser. l The requirements of different establishments, such as rivate residences, offices, schools, hotels, c ubs, factories, stores, etc., vary as to quantity of 'liquid soap to be delivered per stroke of piston.v

An object ofthe invention is vto provide a positively'non-leaking, non-drippin' and economical liquid soap dispenser whic will meet such requirements as nearly as practicable.

It has been found in ractice that the forms of washbasins, and in the materials-of which they are made, require different 'methods and dey vlces for securing the dispenser to the washbasin or to the adjacent wall; and with-this fact in view we have devised means whereby the dispenser maybe secured to the washv lbasin with the container'above or below -the top of the'basin, or may .be secured to the wall adjacent to the wash-basin, or may be secured to a portable base.

To make a liquid soap dispenser positively non-leaking and non-drip ing, it is 'ii'ecessary :-irst, that the mout of the container shall be above the level of the liquid, soas tol get rid of the necessity of packmgs and cements for securing the container to the dispensing apparatus, because Such `packings are likely to become loose,"making the dispenser'leak at the base. and, second, it is necessary that the dispensing apparatus should deliver the charge4 of soap through a nozzle located above the level of the' soap in the container; so as to prevent possible leakage through worn parts.

The discharge of the soap from the nozf zle should be caused by the pressure ofthe handeffecting-the down stroke ofthe piston` and should stop the `very moment the pistou stops exerting pressure on thevsoap entrapped in the charge chamber. The pistion on line m,- Fig.; l

ton is returned by a spring; and it is im-- portant that, on its upstroke the action of the piston should so suiiiciently withdraw the soap from the channel of the delivery nozzle as to free the tip of such channel from soap, so as to prevent dripping and to prevent clogging the nozzle with dried soap at its tip.

To make the dis enser economical land adaptablel for the dliferent establishments, it is necessary to provide means for regulating the quantity of soap to be delivered per stroke of piston; such means must be easily accessible and provided with a locking device to prevent readjustment of piston stroke without a special tool. This 1s especially true when the dispensers ane installed in public wash rooms.

Other objects and advantages may appear from the following speciicatlon.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Fi ure 1 is a -'vertical axial section of a liqui soap dispenser constructed in accord ance with-.this invention, and illustrating the method of securing the dispenser to a wash-stand, with the container above the top of the wash-stand plate, a fragment of of a modified form of piston rod -in lace. Fig. 2 is an'enlarged horizonta section on line m2, Fig." 1. l

Fig. 3 is afragmental vertical axial section on line w8, Fig. 4, illustrating a modified form of means for adjusting the piston common to both Fig. 5 and Fig. 1.

A Fig. 6 is a fragment'al vertical" axial sec- 7 showing another form usting devlce. Fi 7 is a horizontal cross-section on line 027 Fgig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the lower part of a dispenser illustrating the method of piston stroke-a which is shown. Fig. l is a sectional detail stroke, andalocking same in adjusted posi-A ics of fastening the dispenser to' the wall adjacent to the wash-stand. The'inside tube 1s Y 'shown in elevation, and hidden parts are dotted in. A

Fig. 9 is a view analogous-to Fig. 8, showing the dispenser mounted on a aportable base.

Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view of the lock nut washer used in securingthe dispenser to the wash stand.

Referring to the form of dispenser shown in Fig. 1, the container 1 which may be of any suitable size, form or material, has an externally-threaded neck 3, open at its top, and adapted to receive an internally-threaded cap Y2,'which may be either removably or permanently secured to the neck of the .container. Said cap 2 has a central threaded aperture 4, through which a tube 5, having a threaded portion 6, at its upper end, is screwed, from the inner or under side thereof, so as to project above the outer or upper 'l side of said cap.

A threaded tube cap 7, having a central aperture 32, suitable for the passage of a smooth portion 31 of the tubular piston rod 13, is .screwed onto said tube 5 above the cap 2. A washer 8 is interposed between the caps 2 and 7 The tube 5 may be soldered or otherwise permanently secured to said container cap 2.

The upper end of the tube 5 is also provided withl orifices, in the form of slots 9, the lower ends of which extend below the container cap 2 for purposes hereinafter set forth.

The lower end of the tube 5 is provided with a foot valve, which, -in the form shown, consists of a bushing 12, screwed into or otherwise secured t0 said tube. The inner upper end of said bushing 12 is hollowed, similar in form to a frustum of a cone, having an opening into` the tube 5; the inner lower end is threaded to receive a plug l122. The inner upper end of said plug is also hollowed similar in form to a frustum of an inverted cone, the lower end of which is perforated to form an inlet 10. L

The hollowed portion of the plug, at its bottom, is shaped to form a suitable seat for a valve, which, in the form shown is preferably a ball 11.' seated vby gravity, and lifting inwardly to open inlet 10 to admit liquid fromthe container into the tube on the upstroke of the piston. The bushing 12 and the plug 122, when secured the body of the foot valve, and the inner hollowed portions form the chamber or inclosure for the valve 11.

1inside the tube 5 is located a piston,

which, in the form shown, is provided with v a delivery valve. consisting cf the piston body 15, provided at its lower end with a perforation or inlet 19. The inner lower portion of the piston body above the per- -ment of together, form .shaped tov form a seat for the valve 17,

which is, preferably, also a ball seated by gravity and lifting inwardly to open the in- 'let 19 on the downstroke of the piston. The

inner upper end of the piston body is suitably secured Ato the tubular piston rod 13, heilig shown threaded to receive the enlarged externally threaded portion 14C of said tubular piston rod, which is also hollowed out, similar in form to the hollowed portion of the bushing 12.

The tube 5 is provided, at some distance above itsbottom, with one or more free vent ports 20, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described. The space in the abe betweenthe bottom of the port or ports 20 and the top of the foot valve body l2 forms the piston or charge-chamber 2l, in which the piston on its downward strol:e'upon passingr the ports 20, entraps a 1predetermined quantity of soap, and forces it out through thedelivery valve and the continuous channel of the piston rod and nozzle.

The ports 2O serve the purpose of Iventing any air which may pass into the chargechamber 21 on the upward stroke of the piston, through the continuous channel of the piston rod and nozzle, because of possible leakage of the delivery valve", should any sediment .accumulate n the seat or valve, or when liquid in container is too low. Another purpose of the ports 20 is to permit a long stroke of the piston and free movethe hand for a comparatively small discharge of soap.` Otherwise, and if the soap is reasonably free from unsaponified matter and sediment-s the ports 20 may be omitted.

At about the level of the upper end of the piston, when the piston is at rest, at its maximum height, ports 38 are provided in the tube 5 to drain the liquid from the tube 5 above the piston. The ports 38 also serve the purposeof permitting the convenient filling of the container with soap, especially if the ports 20 arev omitted and the cap 2 is firmly cemented vonto the neck of the container.

With the form shown in Fig. 1, it is desirable that the cap 2 of dispensers installed in public wash rooms should be firmly cemented onto the neck of the container.

To fill the container, the tube cap 7 is unscrewed, the piston rod and piston withdrawn from the tube 5, a funnel, not shown, is inserted into the tube above the cap 2, and liquid soap poured into the funnel; the liquid descends into the tube and enters 'the container through the ports 38; the air angular chann The ports and'38 maybe connected to form slots similar to the'slots 9.

A knob or ush button 23, having an el) 24, is screwed or otherwise permanently secured onto the top of the tubular piston rod, and a tubular nozzle or spout 28 is screwed or otherwise secured in the vertical end of the angular channel 24,

thus establishing communication between the charge chamber and the outside, when the piston on its downward stroke forces the liquid, not shown, entrapped in the charge chamber, to open the delivery valve and to flow out. The end of the nozzle or spout i's bent downward so as to conveniently discharge the liquid soap, forced out fromthe piston chamber 21, into the palm A of the hand of the user of the dispenser.

The upper portion of the tubular piston rod 13, at some distance below its top, is provided with a shoulder which in Fig. 1 is shown as a hub 29 which abuts against the under face of the cap 7, and holds the piston rod and piston in normal position, limiting the stroke of the piston and preventing withdrawal of the iston rod through the aperture of the cap The piston rod is provided at or near the shoulder with lugs 30 which project into the slots 9, thus preventing the nozzle 28 from being turned laterally and changed from its set position over the wash bowl.

The upper end of the piston rod 13 between the knob or push button 23,1, and the hub 29, is partly smooth and partly threaded. The smooth portion 31 is the portion that -moves up and down through the orifice of 'the tube cap 7 the threaded portion 33,k

and what we term the regulator 34 adjustable thereon, form the means for adjusting the stroke-of the piston.-

' The regulator 34 has an upperinternally` threaded portion to fit the thread 33 of the piston rod, and has a bore 37 in the lower' portion, which bore is `slightly larger in j diameter than the piston prod, permitting 'the to' said lower portion. to move freely over and around the threaded and non-threaded portions '33 and 31, said lower portion serving as a protection for the thread 33, also as a stopor the piston rod and iston, when the lowerI portion lof the regulator 34 reaches The c eck nut 36, when screwed tightly 'against the regulator 34, prevents the latter from `turning or the piston rod.

In the dispenser sho/wn in Fig. 1, the adjusting mechanism is set at itsmaximum changlng its position on height, permitting a maximum stroke of piston and "a maximum delivery of liquid through the nozzle. The lowerinng of the regulator 34 will reduce the stroke of the iston, thereby reducing the delivery charge. Earticular) attention is called to Kthe fact might also make the operation of of the -cap 7 on the down stroke.

glass; the lower portion is fquirements of different establishments.

either 'direction on the piston rod will increase ordecrease the amount of the discharge at a full stroke of the piston, hence the different establishments installing the device, can adjust the pist'on stroke to a -nicetyto deliver any quantity of soap desired. The regulatin device being above the container and easi y accessible, the person in charge can adjust the delivery accurately by turning the regulator one way or another until the quantity of the discharge per full stroke of the piston' is determined by measure or otherwise.

In the piston stroke adjusting mechanism shovxn in Figs. 3 and 4, the regulator 34 is similar to that shown at 34, of Fig. 1, except that it is provided with two projections, one of which is split vertically, as shown at 47, to form two transversely erforated limbs 48 and 49. The perforatlons in one of the limbs is smooth, the other is threaded A clamp screw 50 is inserted through the perforation of one limb and screwed into the thread o.the other. By tightening the screw 50, the limbs will be tightened thereby tightly clamping regulator 34 around the threaded part 33 of the piston rod .13. The clamp acts as a locking device for the regulator on the iston rod, and the check nut 36, shown in ig. 1, is dispensed with. The other details of the adjusting device 34 are the same as at 34, of Fig. 1.

It may be readily seen that it is desirable that a portion of the regulator 34 be unthreaded. Any extension of the thread in Athe regulator downward or to its full.depth the l ed threaded portion of the pistonrod would not only be liable to damage when passing through the orifice 32 of the cap 7, but it the dispenser noisy.

A spiral spring 39 bearing with its lower end against the top of the foot valve body 12, and with its upper end against the piston 15 is placed in the charge chamber 21 to return the piston to its normal position afterits downward stroke, and to yieldingly support it in that position, kwith the shoulder 29 abutting against the under part of the cap 7. 1

'The container 1 is preferably made of preferably threaded externally, as shown at 40, to engage a seat 40. The seat 40 may be constructed in variouslforms to meet the rIen Fig. 1 the seat 40 has a downward extension 41, adapted to rest on the top of the wash basin 43, and is further provided with a threaded portion 42, which passes through the top of the wash-basin, to which it is secured by the nut 44 and splitr washer 45,

commonly known as a lock nut washer. j InlFig. 5, the seat 40-serves merely as a protector for the threaded portion 40.

In Fig. 8 the seat 40 has a downward vertical extension curved to form the horizontal extension 65 terminating in the flange 66 adapted for securing the ,dispenser to the'wall adjacent to the wash basin, by means of screws 67.

In Fig. 9, the seat 40 is similar. in construction to Athat in Fig. 1, with the threaded part 42 screwed into or otherwise secured spout to a portable base 68.

In practice, the form `of? soap dispenser showntin Fig. 1 is suitably installed, as shown, on a wash-stand, and the nozzle or 28 projects above the top of the washstand plate 43, and over the wash-bowl 46. The user intermittently presses down the knob 23 vallowing the spring to intermittently react, thus reciprocating the piston until the liquid soap, not shown, flows out through the nozzle 28, underwhich a hand may be held to receive the soap discharged. Usually the bore of the tube a'nd part of the nozzle will remain charged with liquid so that any downward movement ofthe piston will cause a discharge of liquid through the nozzle.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the container 1 is placed under the top of the washbasin with the piston stroke adjusting device above the top and the nozzle directed over thc wash bowl.

The tube 51 has a threaded extension 52 above the container cap 2, of a length suf- -cient to extend up'through the top 53 of the wash-stand, leaving enough of thethreaded part below the top 53 to compensate for different thicknesses ot the top, also to accommodate the nut 55 and the lock nut washer 45.

Two nuts 54 and 55, and two washers 56 and 45 are shown. The nut 54 above the top 53, prevents the dispenser from'dropping down when the tube cap 7 is unscrewed -to remove the piston. rod and piston from the tube, whether for mere inspection or for filling the container, if the container cap 2 is firmly cemented onto the neck'3. l

The washer 56 is of the standard type and washer 45 is of the split lock nut type, like washer 45 of Fig. 1,'separatelyv shown in Fig. 10. lIhe nut 55, when screwed up tightly against the lock nut washer 45 prevents the tube 51. and the whole apparatus from turning.

The piston body 61 differs in construction from that shown at 15, Fig. 1. It is provided with a bore of about the same diameter as the bore of the piston rod and has no delivery valve. The tubular piston rod is screwed into or otherwise firmly secured to the piston. 21 has no ports below the piston, such as s hown at 20, Fig. 1. The ports 38 are the same as in Fig.,1,.and the ports 9 take the place of the ports or extended slots 9 shown in Fig. 1. The foot valve in the lower part of the tube 51 is the same as in Fig. 1. The capacity of the charger/chamber is greater than the combined capacities of the channels in the piston, piston rod, push button and nozzle, hence on the down stroke of the piston the liquid will first fill up the pacity, and then the excess will flow out through the nozzle.

T he cap 7 is the same as that shown at 7, in Fig. 1. The piston stroke adjusting mechanism in Fig. 5 is of a modified form. .The regulator 57 consists of an internally threaded tube 157 provided with two flanges 58, 59. The ange 58 -abuts against the under` side of the cap 7 to prevent withdrawal of the regulator through the orifice of the cap. It also limits the piston` stroke and prevents the lifting out of the piston rod and piston through the orifice 32. The upper fiange 59 of the tube 57 serves as, a stop against the top of the cap 7 when the piston rod is pushed down. In the form shown in Fig. 5, 'the piston is rset about midway in -the charge chamber. By turning the regulator in one lor the other direction the vlength of the piston stroke will be either increased or reduced, thus discharging through the nozzle 28, a greater or lesser amount of soap per full stroke of piston. tightly against the flange 59, holds the piston stroke adjusting mechanism in fixed position.

The internally threaded tube 157 of' the regulator 57 is usually made initially with shown in Fig. 5, in that the threaded por' tion of the piston rod 13 is slotted vertically and a set screw 62 is screwed through the flange 63 to engage the base of the slot in the threaded piston rod. The set screw, when tightened, prevents the regulator 57 from turning, thus maintaining the desired The charge -chamber` continuous channel to its full ca-4 length of stroke. The set screw 62 performs Y* the function of the check nut 60, shown in Fig. 5, and therefore the check nut is there dispensed with.

It may be observed that while the prin- Figs. 1 and 5, that the ciple in all the piston stroke-regulatmg devices, as shown 1n Figs. 1, 3, 4,- 5, 6, and 7, is the same and their function is the same, the devices shown in Figs. 1 and 3 differ from those shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in details and mode of` operation. For instance r-To increase or reduce the delivery charge of liquid to a greater or less quantity withvthe device shown in Figs. 1 or 3, it is necessary to lower the regulator, the position ofthe piston remaining the same, while the device shown in Figs 5 or 6 will perform the same function by turning the regulator 57 or 57 in one or the other direction, thus increasing or decreasing the normal height o f the plston, and increasing or decreasing the delivery charge.

' It will be seen, however, by comparing of a change from the position of the container above the wash-stand as in Fig. l to below the stand as in Fig. 5, by simpl substituting a longer tube 51 for tube 5 an adding clampingl devices. By providing a cap'for the tube 5 or 51 independent of the .cap for'the'container 1, provision for this ready adaptation to` different made.l

It is understood that while the piston rod in Fig. 1, and the .tube 157 in- Fig. 5, closely iit the orifices through the caps 7 and 7 respectively, there is suiiicient vent space around the piston rod and around the tube to' allow air to enter the container l to positions is lmaintain the normal air pressure requisite for the operation of the pumpingmechaf d f bored nism located in thecontainer.

It is understood that we do not limit our invention to the details illustrated in the drawings and describedin the specifications, nor to any particular piston stroke adjustin device.

. n- Fig. l.a 'the upper end of the tubular piston rod 131 is reduced in diameter at a to leave a shoulder b to forml a stop to abut against ,the underside ofthe cap 7, and a transverse pin c is 'inserted through a hole through the upper enid of the unreduced portion of the tube Vafter which the obstruction thus formed in the bore of the tubular piston rod is removed by boring through the pin b as indicated atte. *The projecting ends of the pin constitute 'the lugs .SO/in this constructiom-,while lugs project Ainto the slots 5to prevent turning of the nozzle. v

By providing the threaded tubeas 5 or 5l carrying the inlet valve as at 11, 12, and swerving it into the' container cap through which the threaded tube extends for threaded connection with the upper elements of 'the -device the requisite security against leakage is obtained by cheap, simple and easily-assembled means.- v

construction admits separate charge chamber having to the tube, said tube extending upwardly through'the cap; a portion of said tube being contained within the container; a.- tubular iston rod; a piston carried thereby and wor ing in said tube and a cap for the tube forming a vguide for a piston' rod; the piston beingremovable by removing the tube cap.

2. A liquidi dispenser comprisingag'icontainer; a'tube extending inside the container and carrying an inlet valve and a separate charge chamber having a free port; a piston working in said charge chamber and a tubular and arranged to operate said piston.

3. A liquid dispenser comprising a contailler; a tube extendin tainer and carrying an 1nlet valve and a separate char e chamber having a free port; a piston wor ing in said charge chamber; a spring to move said piston away from the valved inlet and a tubular piston rod'provided vwith a spout to operate said piston and conduct liquid from the chamber.

4. A liquid dispenser 'comprising a container; a tube extending inside the container and carrying an inlet valve and a f a free port; a piston'head working in said charge chamber; a spring to move said Apiston head away from the valved inlet; a tubular piston rod provided with a spout tof operate saidpiston and conduct liquid' from the inside the conpiston rod provided with a spout p chamber,"and means to limit the stroke ofl said piston. y

5. A liquid dispenser tainer; a tube extendin tainer and carrying an 1nlet valve and/ a separate charge chamber having a free port; a

comprising a conprovided with a spout and arranged to operate said piston; and

piston working in said chamber; a A ,tubular piston rod adjustable means to limit the length ofthe stroke of said piston rod. l

liquid dispenser comprising a container; a tube in the container; said tube being provided witha valved inlet and a charge chamber; and

from; said tube being provi ed with a free port at the top of the charge chamber and at about the level of the depressed piston.

7. In a liquid dispenser of the character set forth, a container having an open mouth a tubular piston op erable in the tube to discharge liquid thereand a closed bottom; said mouth and said bottom being threaded so that the container is adapted to receive liquid ejectng means for discharging-liquid and is adapted to be mounted either below or above the Washstand top or elsewhere substantially as' set forth.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto wesp?? GABRIEL A. BOBRICK. ARTHUR L. B'OBRIC'K.-A

n presence of-` `JAMES; R. TOWNSEND, STELLA HILL. 

